How It Works

Once you enroll, we’ll install a small, remote-controlled device on or near the central air conditioning (A/C) unit(s) of your choosing, absolutely free of charge. If we call an energy event in response to emergencies, high wholesale energy prices, or as part of testing, we’ll turn off (or cycle) your selected A/C’s compressor(s). These events may be called year-round. Your participation will earn you bill credits and help reduce the chance of power outages in your community. Your fan will continue to run and circulate air, so your customers and employees may not even notice a shift in temperature. But you’ll definitely notice the difference on your bill.

FAQs

We’ve compiled the most common questions on the Summer Discount Plan to keep you informed.

How will I receive my discount?

During the summer season, you’ll see a monthly discount on your electric bill under the line item “A/C cycling discount.” Credits will appear on your billing statements monthly between June and October.

Can there be more than one cycling period in a day?

CAISO and we can call an event at any time, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, year-round. Each of your participating units may be cycled off up to a total of six hours per day. There can be multiple energy events in one day, but no event can be called after the six-hour daily limit has been exhausted.

When SCE cycles off my A/C’s compressor, will all of my electricity be turned off?

No, only central A/C units that have cycling devices attached are affected during energy events. The rest of your business will have electricity, and your unit’s indoor fan may continue running to circulate the air, unless you let us know in advance that you prefer to have it turned off as well.

How will I know when SCE has turned off my A/C’s compressor?

We offer courtesy alerts to let you know when an energy event is occurring in your area and your central A/C’s compressor is being cycled off. You can check to see if there are any events in progress. If your central A/C’s compressor unit is located where you can see the cycling device, the green LED light on the device will flash when your unit has been shut off.

If your central A/C’s compressor unit shuts off and the green LED light is not flashing, there may be several reasons why your central A/C’s compressor unit is not running:

Thermostat or indoor fan is not set to the “on,” “cool,” or “automatic” position.

Thermostat is not set low enough for the unit to come on.

Condenser (outside unit) is dirty and obstructs air circulation.

Filter is not clean.

Circuit breaker is tripped or a fuse is blown at the meter or at the unit.

Caution: Before attempting to check or replace fuses, be sure to turn off the central compressor unit safety switch, which is located on or near the unit, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

May I sign up for other SCE Demand Response programs?

You may also participate in other Demand Response programs, such as Summer Advantage Incentive. For more information, please contact your SCE account manager or visit sce.com/drp.

Terms and Conditions

Summer Discount Plan Terms & Conditions

Eligibility & Requirements

If you are a business of any size in SCE’s service territory, take service under one of SCE’s qualifying Commercial & Industrial rates and are not enrolled in the Capacity Bidding Program (CBP) or the Time of Use Base Interruptible Program (TOU-BIP), then you are eligible to participate in the program.

To participate, your central air conditioner must be in good working order at enrollment and throughout your participation. Cycling devices will not be installed on non-operational air conditioners. If your central air conditioner becomes inoperable while you are participating in the Summer Discount Plan, you should have it repaired immediately. If it is discovered that your air conditioner is not in good working order or that you have tampered with the cycling device, your service account may be removed from the program.

If you are a tenant, you are responsible for determining whether your property owner or manager’s approval is required for the installation and operation of the cycling device. If so, you are responsible for obtaining this approval prior to submitting your application to us.

The Summer Discount Plan is subject to availability of cycling devices and adequate device signal strength at your location. It is not recommended for premises with employees or staffs who have respiratory conditions or are unable to tolerate high temperatures.

Participation Period

There is a 1-year minimum participation period requirement, starting on the activation date of your cycling device, unless the program is suspended, modified, or terminated by the CPUC. If, during the 1-year period, you, or someone in your business, develop a medical condition that disqualifies you from participating in the program, as substantiated by a medical provider, you may also request to be removed from the Summer Discount Plan. Your enrollment will be continuous unless, after the conclusion of the 1-year minimum participation period, you notify us that you wish to terminate. Plan option downgrades to Good Value and to Maximum Comfort can each be made only once in a 12-month period. If you de-enroll from the Summer Discount Plan, you may not re-enroll within a 12-month period.

Bill Credits

Bill credits will be calculated based on these factors:

Your current rate schedule;

The size of your central air conditioner(s) being cycled – the greater the calculated tonnage, the larger the credit;

The option you select – Maximum Savings (100%), Good Value (50%), or Maximum Comfort (30%); and

The amount of electricity you use.

Maximum credits based on enrollment in program from June 1 to October 1. Enrollment after June 1 will result in prorated credits beginning from the first meter read date after your application is processed and your device is installed and activated.

Summer Discount Plan credit amounts and program options are subject to change pursuant to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

Duration of Turn-Off/Cycling

Under the Maximum Savings option, your A/C may be turned off for up to 6 hours per day. Under the Good Value option, your A/C may be cycled off for 15 minutes of every half hour, for up to 6 hours per day. Under the Maximum Comfort option, your A/C may be cycled off for 9 minutes of every half hour, for up to 6 hours per day. In the event of a system emergency, we may, at our discretion, extend the cycling period beyond the 6-hour duration limit. However, no new energy event will be initiated after the 6-hour limit has been met.

Total Turned-Off/Cycled Hours Per Year

The maximum length of time that your A/C may be cycled off is 180 hours per year.

Complete Tariff Information

This information is meant as an aid to understanding SCE’s Summer Discount Plan. It does not replace the CPUC-approved tariffs. Any inconsistencies between this material and SCE’s tariffs are unintended, and the tariffs prevail. Please refer to SCE’s Tariff Books for a complete list of terms and conditions of service.

*The estimated savings assume a typical 5-ton central air conditioning unit, enrolled in the program from June 1 to October 1. Maximum credit amounts are subject to certain minimum usage requirements and vary by central air conditioner tonnage. Participation in Summer Advantage Incentive Program (formerly know as Critical Peak Pricing) may also reduce the maximum credit amounts. This program is not recommended for those with health problems, respiratory conditions or an inability to tolerate high temperatures. SCE is not responsible for any costs associated with receiving optional SDP courtesy alerts. See sce.com/TariffBooks for a complete list of terms and conditions of service. This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by SCE under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

Videos

Lets Dish

Box-N-Go is a storage and moving company located in the City of Commerce, founded in 2006 by co-owners Mike Bernstein and Stan Trakhtenberg, two life-long friends who sought to offer a low-cost alternative to public storage facilities.

One of the first programs that Box-N-Go took part in was the Summer Discount Plan (SDP). In fact, since signing up in 2009, the company has earned almost $1,900 in bill credits.